The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1887-02-11

of her speech. at sounds ike music.
I'm awfully glad my mother christened
me Gerald"
"whyf Do you think could not pro-
nounce any other name musica'lyg' asks
she, laughing in spite Of herself
"That's right. / like to hear you laugh"
says he. "They say in my country that
when a woman smiles the battle Is won
And sometimes think"-
'I will not listen to YOU" declares
Miss Grey, beating her foot impatiently
upon the carpet. at is not kind-it is
not right. You forget / am engaged to
Capt. Boyle"
"Bah He doesn't count at ALL" says
Massareene. "You can't marry such q
fellow as that"
"What have you to say against himY"
asks she eagerly. Obi IL only some in
surmountable obstacle could be shown.
"why, nothingr' says Massareene.
"Only he is such a''-he checks himself
Just in time-''such an uncomfortable
sort Of fellow" he concludes rather
lamely.
"Tell me-" says Miss Grey, in a very
low tone, 'you are member of his clubf
And I-have heard-that is, they say
he-gambles good deal. Is this trueS"
Mr.. Massareene grows crimson.
"Ohl by Jove, you know You can't
expect me to answer questions about
another man, and that man my rival"
he SAYS. 'I-I didn't expect you would
do that, you know"
"You won't tell me, thenS'' says she.
81 know nothing Of his gambling I
know nothing at all TO his discredit," says
Massareene, slowly, his eyes on the
ground.
'Then you would let me marry him
to be made miserSb rSble-rather than sacri-
flee a certain sense of honorY' asks she
sorrowfully.
"You shouldn't tempt me like thisl'
exclaims he, with sudden touch OF pas
sion. 1.-THE very knowledge that he is
your accepted lover-at least, your future
husband"--he makes his correction be-
cause of little deprecatory gesture on
her part-"and that I-even apart from
that facilitate him. compels me to 81
lence. And-and even suppose he does
gamble bit heavily now and then, wig
he may give that up when-when he is
married." says Mnssareene, stumbling
over the hateful sentence, and trying to
be as Just to his rival as nature will
permit him.
81 see," says Millicent. She is silent
for quite two minutes-a long time when
one is waiting anxiously for the next
very seriously, THAT he plays for such
high stakes that he is often at his wits
end to know how to meet his debts of
honor-so called. Hearing this has led
me to the belief that he is marrying me
more as means of gaining money to carry
on his play than from any higher mo-
| tive"
"There you wrong him." says Massa-
| reene eagerly. "He is no defaulter,
| whatever else he may be. He lost
| tremendous sum to Black, of the Blues,
about two months ago; but he paid up
| far sooner than Black ever expected.
| And he has given an l o U to Burnaby
| to pay him next month, and"- He
stops short. "Lots Of fellows play pretty
high before they settle down." he says,
great generosity compelling him to say
an exculpatory word for the man who is,
perhaps, the only living thing he detests.
~ quite understand" returns Mill
cent slowly. "It is very good of you; but
only what.I expected. There is, how
ever, one thing that puzzles me--where
my cousin got the money to pay that tre-
mendous sum to Col. Black"
"You probably know more Of his pri-
vate concerns than do" says Massareene
carelessly. ''He always appears to me to
have plenty of money. Enough of him,
l
Germs me that I would tell you. You
know my uncle Lord Ballymore? Well,
last night he said he would allow me
f300 ysir in addition to my present
income, which is five, you know, if-if
you would have me. He adlnires you
very much"
"And hates Grant, good deal more!
/ know all about that old story, and do
not blame Lord Ballymore for his dislike
of my excellent cousin"
"You don't think you could do il on
the eight hundredi' asks the young man
wistfully.
Miss Greys ears are well trained, and
now she hears step approaching-ohl
so softly
zone never thinks nowadays-there is
no time" she says, in clear, distinct
tone 'Tea, Grant? Thanks No;
nothing else thank you; unless, indeed,
it be one of those little waters that auntie
seems so meanly determined to keep all
TO herself"
Grant hastens to obey her command.
"a last word, " says Massareene quick
ly. "Do you know Miss D:rang"
"Mr. Duran's aunt? Yes.'
every "Wednesday. If-if could be only
sure that she would receive you next
Wednesdays He has risen, and is gaz-
ing down at her, his heart in his eyes.
"Why--if you are there you will see, "
returns She with light laugh, as Grant,
again approaches.
TO BR CONTINUED IN OUR NEXT.l